Donald Sterling

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sterling's ownership of the Clippers is often criticized, and many consider him one of the worst owners in American sports history. In his 33 years, the Clippers lost 50 or more games 22 times, 60 or more on eight occasions, and 70 games once. The team did not have its first winning season until 1991–92, 11 years into his ownership. Sterling was fined $10,000 in 1982 for saying he'd accept last place to draft Ralph Sampson. He moved the team from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984 despite NBA denial, was fined $25 million, then sued the league for $100 million before settling for a $6 million fine. Under Sterling, only two head coaches lasted four seasons or more: Bill Fitch (1994–1998) and Mike Dunleavy Sr., who entered his seventh season in 2009–10 but was relieved of coaching duties on February 4, 2010.

In Their Own Story

At his introductory news conference in San Diego, Sterling vowed to 'spend unlimited sums' to build the Clippers into a contender, launching a marketing campaign with billboards reading: 'My Promise: I will make you proud of the Clippers.' Instead, the team struggled through many lackluster seasons. In 2003, Sterling signed Elton Brand to a six-year, $82 million deal, the biggest contract in franchise history. He matched a $45 million offer for Corey Maggette and later signed higher-priced veterans like Cuttino Mobley, Tim Thomas, and Baron Davis. Sterling spent $50 million to build a state-of-the-art practice facility in Playa Vista. But in April 2014, private recordings of racist comments were made public. Commissioner Adam Silver announced Sterling's suspension and recommended he be forced to sell the team. Shelly Sterling reached an agreement to sell the Clippers for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer, and the NBA board of governors approved the sale in August 2014.

Reader's Guide

Visiting Clippers games during the Sterling era meant watching a franchise that was long considered the laughingstock of the NBA. The team moved into Staples Center for the 1999–2000 season, sharing the arena with the Lakers, who were perpetual contenders. The Clippers' first playoff series win under Sterling came in 2006, when they beat the Denver Nuggets before losing to the Phoenix Suns in a seven-game semifinals. In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, they posted a .606 winning percentage (40-66) and beat the Memphis Grizzlies 4-3 before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, the Clippers set franchise records with 56 wins in 2012–13 and 57 in 2013–14, but won just one playoff series combined. Sterling rebuffed offers to relocate the team and was steadfast in refusing to move the Clippers out of Los Angeles.

Did You Know?

• Sterling was born Donald Samuel Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago, and changed his surname to Sterling at age 25, citing difficulty pronouncing 'Tokowitz' and belief in financial benefits.
• Sterling and Lakers owner Jerry Buss were indirectly responsible for each other owning their NBA franchises: Buss used money from selling apartment buildings to Sterling to buy the Lakers in 1979, then suggested Sterling buy the Clippers in 1981.
• The NBA fined Sterling $10,000 in 1982—the largest sum ever levied against an owner at the time—for saying he'd accept last place to draft Ralph Sampson.
• Sterling moved the Clippers from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984 without league approval, was fined $25 million, sued the league for $100 million, and dropped the suit when the fine was reduced to $6 million.
• In 2000, Sports Illustrated reported Sterling had a 99-year lease on Sterling Plaza requiring a small annual fee and 15% of rental income, and that by remaining the sole tenant, he could force a fire sale from the Mayer estate.